10 things you might not know about Dreamland Bar-B-Que
This is an updated version of a 2016 article.
Alabama is home to a lot of great barbecue restaurants, but for many folks, Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Tuscaloosa will always sit at the top at that list — after all, there’s a reason why their motto is “ain’t nothing like ‘em nowhere.”
When it comes to ribs, sandwiches and all things barbecue, Dreamland has developed a serious fanbase throughout its more than 60 years in business thanks to its unique grilling style and signature sauce.
While Dreamland Bar-B-Que and its now world-famous ribs may have gotten its start as a small cafe, the Alabama chain has become one of the most beloved barbecue joints in the Southeast and beyond.
Want to find out more about how Dreamland Bar-B-Que began and the restaurant’s rich history? Here’s 12 things you might not know about Dreamland Bar-B-Que.
The Original Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa. (Ben Flanagan/al.com)Ben Flanagan/AL.com
Dreamland Fact #1
The first Dreamland Bar-B-Que location, originally known as Dreamland Cafe, was opened in 1958 in Tuscaloosa by John “Big Daddy” Bishop after he had a dream in which God visited him and said to open a restaurant.
Dreamland Fact #2
Bishop was originally a brick mason and built the original Dreamland location, which is two miles from the intersection of Hwy 82 and Interstate 59 just south of Tuscaloosa in an area known as Jerusalem Heights, by hand, according to the Tuscaloosa News. Since then, no much has changed beyond the addition of air conditioning.
As their slogan says, there “ain’t nothin’ like” the ribs and sauce at the original Dreamland Bar-B-Q in Tuscaloosa, Ala.(Ben Flanagan/bflanagan@al.com)
Dreamland Fact #3
Dreamland now has 10 locations spread throughout Alabama and into Georgia.
Dreamland Fact #4
While many barbecue restaurants cook their ribs from two to four hours, Dreamland cooks theirs by flipping each slab of ribs about six times over a hot bed of hickory coals for around 45-55 minutes before basting them in sauce. In 2014, Dreamland regional manager Matt Kilgore told AL.com the reason for that was “Mr. Bishop used to say he had better things to do than watch a piece of meat smoke all day.”
Read more: Alabama’s Best BBQ Ribs finalist: Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Tuscaloosa
Ribs from Dreamland Dreamland Bar-B-Que at the FOOD+ Fire event at Sloss Furnaces. The event was part of the inaugural FOOD+ Culture festival in Birmingham. (Shauna Stuart| AL.com)Shauna Stuart
Dreamland Fact #5
Dreamland got a shout-out in 2014 during the “Top 10” list of “The Late Show with David Letterman” as the No. 6 “things overheard at George Clooney’s Wedding.” The quote was “Next Stop: Alabama Dreamland Bar-B-Que.”
Read more: Why did David Letterman mention Dreamland Bar-B-Que last night? Here’s your answer
Dreamland Fact #6
While the menu at Dreamland keeps it simple these days, serving up a small selection of barbecue and sides, it wasn’t always that way. In the beginning, Dreamland Cafe sold everything from its iconic ribs to burgers to even postage stamps.
Miss Alabama contestant Paige Ip shows off her rib-eating skills in 2014 at Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Birmingham. An annual rib-eating contest has been a longstanding tradition for Miss Alabama contestants.(AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore)
Dreamland Fact #7
Dreamland Bar-B-Que serves ribs to over one million people per year, according to Visit Tuscaloosa.
Dreamland Fact #8
In 2019, Dreamland Bar-B-Que founder John “Big Daddy” Bishop was inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame by The American Royal Association — an honor awarded to three individuals each year for their significant contributions to the barbecue community.
Read more: Dreamland BBQ founder ‘Big Daddy’ Bishop going into Barbecue Hall of Fame
As their slogan says, there “ain’t nothin’ like” the ribs and sauce at the original Dreamland Bar-B-Q in Tuscaloosa, Ala.(Ben Flanagan/bflanagan@al.com)
Dreamland Fact #9
While you might think gamedays would be the busiest for a barbecue joint in Tuscaloosa, home of the Crimson Tide, you’d be mistaken. Instead, the Fourth of July is the busiest for Dreamland, according to Visit Tuscaloosa.
Dreamland Fact #10
Can’t make it to Tuscaloosa? That doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying Dreamland’s famous ribs. The restaurant offers shipping on its ribs, sausages, sauces and more so you can get your fix no matter where you live.